介紹 Introduction

“One Person One Heart” is an installation, video and cross-media socially engaged art about sexual slavery in WWII. Although this event happened 70 years ago, it is still an international issue that affects the relationship in various countries. Besides the conflict between countries, it can also be a case to study the misconception of various cultural stereotypes, traditional gender roles and misunderstanding about the nature of sexual violence which still has impact on today’s society. This art work tried to engage audience to discuss the human rights aspect of this issue. It is a collaboration of the artist with the people. It shows the view of the people in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, U.S.A., Britain and Saudi Arabia, on the issue of “comfort women”.

People can join the creation of the work through workshops or exhibitions. In the workshops and exhibitions, the history and issue about sex slaves in WWII (comfort women) was discussed. The artist Phoebe Man asked people to draw on the image of a red dot and a heart. When many of these pieces of paper are lined up to make an animation, it becomes like a heart beating. Through web sites, workshops and exhibitions, Phoebe and Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation collected more than 800 pieces of drawings made by around 400 people from all over the world. This art project has a basic tone of love and peace. It was open for the public to express their views and different kinds of views co-exist. Thus the project provides a better understanding of the people’s views on the subject. Some want justice. Some want peace. Others want to show love to the victims and say “add oil” to them. Some want the wounds should be allowed to heal, for the sake of a better future. Most people thought a responsible government should apologize and compensate the victims to show respect for human rights.

On August 14, 2014, the proposed Comfort Women Day, Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation further elaborated the work and organized “one person one story” event where everyone took turns to express their views. TWRF further developed the public art (hearts and dots) in the form of a big banner. Many people added their hand prints on the banner to show their decisive will to pursue social justice. It became a ritual. This banner was given to the Japanese Consulate, asking them to respond to this event. The original works of the public were shown in Taipei and Hualien. The video was shown in Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Macau. The work is now showing in Ama Museum in Taipei.